DCC Ready Locomotives

[cpcolin]

Hey does anybody out there know if you can run a DCC ready locomotive with regular cab control? I want to eventually switch to DCC , but I want to have and run the updated locomotives in the transition.

[Anonymous]

DCC ready simply means that it is wired so you can put a decoder in it for use on DCC. It does not (usually) mean that there is a decoder included. So out of the box it should be a "DC-ready" loco! Just put it on the track and away you go...!

In most cases, decoder equipped locos can be run on DC layouts, although the performance may not be as good, and you cannot use the "pulse" feature on your power pack (usually used to improve slow-speed running on straight DC locos).

That's the way I understand it. You might want to check with your local shop, or at least others here at the forum before you go ahead if you really want to be sure...

Andrew

[cacole]

As masonjar said, DCC ready just means that there's a socket in the locomotive for a DCC decoder to plug into, and the engine should run just fine on straight DC.

There should be no difference in performance between a DCC ready locomotive and one that is not DCC ready, as far as DC operation is concerned. These DCC ready locomotives have a shorting plug in them to compensate for the lack of a DCC decoder, making them a stright DC locomotive.

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

As masonjar said, DCC ready just means that there's a socket in the locomotive .....

NOT always, some "DCC" ready locomotives just have solder pads, because there is not room for the socket.